Tyler Schoenherr, SCA Shell co-chair, handles the credit card transactions at the Shell Festival. (Below right) One of the many display cases in Anne Joffe's Mollusk General Hospital, the centerpiece of this year's Shell Show. (Bottom) The grounds of the Community House were bustling on opening day, Thursday, March 3. SC photos by Shannen Hayes

The
Sanibel Shell Festival was great inside and out on the first day of
its 79th edition, Thursday, March 3.

“The
turnout has been wonderful,” said Mary Burton, chair of the
prestigious Sanibel Shell Show, which occupied the inside of the
Sanibel Community House. “We have a good turnout every year, but to
look around and see all these people is gratifying.”

The
feelings were equally bright outside as the tents of shells and shell
creations basked in the sunlight of a perfect Sanibel day.

“I
don't know what more we could ask for. We just hope the weather stays
just like this through Saturday,” said Tyler Schoenherr, who is
Sanibel Community Association Shell co-chair along with his wife Sue.

“It's
the volunteers that make this happen, and it is great to see it all
come together,” he said.

Both
Schoenherr and Burton remarked about the cooperation between the
Shell Festival and Shell Show.

“We've
got everybody working together here now. We've got one of the premier
shell shows in the world and it just keeps getting better,” Burton
said.

She
said she was moving slowly on Periwinkle Way on her way to the
Community House early Thursday.

“I
said that I hoped that are all going to the Shell Festival. I think
they were,” she quipped. “We do have a wonderful crowd and I know
that when the volunteers look around they feel the same way I do. It
makes all the work worthwhile.”

The
judging was done and the ribbons adorn the winners in the Shell Show.
This year's Shell Show, which holds an undisputed place among the
world's elite shell shows, once again features stunning exhibits in
both the Artistic Division, where the always popular sailor’s
valentines are housed, and the Scientific Division. This year the
Scientific Division in the Community House's main room features the
extra-special Mollusk General Hospital by Sanibel super sheller Anne
Joffe.

Burton
took over from Joffe four years ago as Shell Show chair, allowing
Joffe the time to create the sprawling Mollusk General Hospital. She
received the shows most prestigious award which is named in her
honor, the Anne Joffe Superstar Award.

“It's
unbelievable. There is always so much to see here, but everyone must
see Anne's creation,” Burton said.

The
Shell Festival continues Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday
from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission to the grounds is free. The $5
donation to the Shell Show includes free admission to the
Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum and an attractive bag of shells.